Gulf Energy Alliance Applauds Bipartisan Support in Senate for Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Department of Interior

Today, the U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan show of support, approved the nomination of Ryan Zinke to become Secretary of the Department of Interior. The Gulf Energy Alliance issued the below statement, attributed to Matt McCarroll, CEO of Fieldwood Energy and a Founding Member of the Gulf Energy Alliance:

“The Gulf Energy Alliance applauds the Senate’s overwhelmingly bipartisan support of Rep. Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Department of Interior. This agency has the opportunity to unleash unprecedented growth for the offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico. We especially look forward to working with Secretary Zinke to address industry’s concerns with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s recent Notice to Lessees (NTL) regarding financial assurance requirements. In order to deliver on our country’s energy promise, the Trump Administration must rollback this NTL and other legacy regulations that have unnecessarily inhibited the growth potential for this slice of the energy economy, which represents 17% of total U.S. crude oil production. Zinke had a fantastic record as an “all of the above” energy supporter in the U.S. House, and we could not be more pleased with his selection and the news of his confirmation. Above all, GEA and other industry participants in the GOM view his bipartisan support as a reflection of Americans’ appetite for energy security and energy independence, and a clear sign that the federal government has returned as a partner – and not an adversary – in the safe and responsible development of our nation’s offshore energy resources.”